Ujumpthelastuwin

Ujumpthelastuwin was in the process of running a big race in the two-mile beginners’ chase at Naas on Sunday when he came down at the second last fence.

He settled into a nice rhythm for Jonathan Moore early on just behind leader Momus. His jumping was good until he made a bad mistake at the second last fence in the back straight. He did well to remain upright, and Jonathan Moore did well to remain on board. He lost ground and momentum, but he was quickly back on an even keel. He moved up on the outside of Momus as they rounded the home turn, and he and Jungle Junction went on as they approached the second last fence, where he just clipped the top of the obstacle and slithered to the ground. It is impossible to know how the race would have panned out and, in fairness to Jungle Junction, he did stay on well to come away from Brawler on the run-in. But it would have been interesting between Ujumpthelastuwin and Jungle Junction, they appeared to be going as well as each other on the run to the second last.

It was to Ujumpthelastuwin’s credit that he was able to arrive at the second last fence with a winning chance after making that bad mistake in the back straight. Winner of his maiden hurdle at Wexford last March, Gavin Cromwell’s horse is progressing nicely over fences. Third behind the progressive Farmix at Fairyhouse in November, he stepped forward from that next time when he finished third behind Dinny Lacey and subsequent dual winner Stormy Judge in a novices’ handicapped chase at Limerick over Christmas. He was well beaten in the hot Matheson Handicap Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, but he was in the process of running a much better race on Saturday. He will be of interest now again in novices’ company before the ground gets too fast, but he will also be of interest in another handicap chase. He has the potential to go beyond his current mark of 124.
Naas, 14^th March 2021